You normally tackle a new project with lots of enthusiasm. You can’t wait to spend time on it. Everything else comes second and must wait. The new project is the first thing to get your attention.

But as time goes by, your enthusiasm wanes. The novelty has worn off. You’re no longer so excited about it and the project eventually becomes like all the others.

Often, you simply get lazy. Maybe a human being’s default position is being lazy. When a new project comes around, the excitement drives you and you run after the novelty of it like crazy. But before you know it, you’re back in your default position, being lazy, and you simply don’t have the energy. I wonder.

This also happens to our faith in God. In the beginning we’re on fire, tell everybody about it, attend every event, join a care group, look for places to help. But as time goes by, our enthusiasm weakens and our fire is extinguished.

I suspect it’s because we fall back to our default lazy position. It takes a lot of energy to keep us from the default position. It’s an effort to do all these things and we don’t always feel like pulling ourselves out of the default position.

My spinning is like that too. To put it in bold letters, my default position can be described as: No exercise. This has been my preferred position since birth. If I’m not in the default position, I break out in red blotches. Well, not really, but to put it lightly: I don’t enjoy being out of my default position.

But I know this position isn’t good for me. I don’t feel good about myself. I tire easily. I have no energy and the scale shows it, until I struggle to even tie my shoe laces.

So, I force myself to get onto the bike and it’s difficult. I groan and complain. My knees complain too and my bum is not too happy either. But when I get off that bike, a feeling of bliss comes over me. I feel really good and my energy is replenished from somewhere.

I know what is good for my body and it’s not to remain in this default position of mine. It takes energy and even though I don’t always feel like it, I have to make an effort. The results are unbelievable.

I suspect this is what we have to do with our spiritual default position. We must energise our relationship with God. We must serve God with dedication. We must become like we were in the beginning. On fire for God. It takes energy and you have to encourage and motivate yourself every day. Then, eventually, you’ll say to yourself too: It was good…

12Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.

Scripture

Hebrews 6:9-12

Reflection

Are you sometimes too lazy to serve God?

How can you get energy again?

Where can you go and serve God at full speed?

Prayer

Lord, I have to confess I’m lazy sometimes. I simply want to lie on the couch like a potato. I know it’s wrong and I don’t feel good about it. Please help me, Lord, to light the fire again, to get up, and serve You at full speed. Amen.